Ladder supported brush and can holder

ABSTRACT

A simple device is disclosed for supporting a paint can on a ladder. An intermediate bend in the wire engages behind a step of the ladder near a side rail while a lower end portion extends beneath the step and out to the front of the side rail where the end thereof embraces the side rail. An upper and portion extends across the upper side of the step to a position slightly laterally outside of the side rail of the ladder and is there provided with an upwardly opening generally vertical reverse bend adapted to receive and hold a paint can bail. A further improvement provides at the end of the reverse bend one or more generally horizontally extending U-shape bends adapted to receive and retain a paint brush handle holding the brush directly above a paint can whose bail is held in the reverse bend. A modification provides that the distal end of the lower end portion is adapted to snap into the reverse bend portion of the upper end portion of the wire so as to lock the device in place.

United States Patent 72] Inventor Andrew J. Lewis 14718 Onaway Road, Shaker Heights, Ohlo 44120 [21] Appl. No. 880,224

[22] Filed Nov. 26, 1969 [45] Patented Dec. 14, 1971 [54] LADDER SUPPORTED BRUSH AND CAN HOLDER 2 Claims, 6 Drawing Figs.

52 u.s.c|

Primary Examiner-William H. Schultz AttorneyBaldwin, Egan, Walling & Fetzer ABSTRACT: A simple device is disclosed for supporting a paint can on a ladder. An intermediate bend in the wire engages behind a step of the ladder near a side rail while a lower end portion extends beneath the step and out to the front of the side rail where the end thereof embraces the side rail. An upper and portion extends across the upper side of the step to a position slightly laterally outside of the side rail of the ladder and is there provided with an upwardly opening generally vertical reverse bend adapted to receive and hold a paint can bail. A further improvement provides at the end of the reverse bend one or more generally horizontally extending U-shape bends adapted to receive and retain a paint brush handle holding the brush directly above a paint can whose bail is held in the reverse bend. A modification provides that the distal end of the lower end portion is adapted to snap into the reverse bend portion of the upper end portion of the wire so as to lock the device in place,

WTENTEDHECMISYE 3,6273% V I9 12% J 18' 20 INVENTOR ANDREW J. LEWIS LADDER SUPPORTED BRUSH AND CAN HOLDER It is well known that many devices are available for supporting a paint can on a ladder but an object of the present invention is to provide a very simple form of such a device and one which is very easily and cheaply manufactured.

IN THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of the invention in position on a step ladder;

FIGS. 2 and 3 are respectively front elevational views and a top plan view of the device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of the invention secured to a rung type of step in a ladder; while FIGS. 5 and 6 are respectively front elevational views and a top plan view ofthe device of FIG. 4.

It should be understood that this invention may be utilized in connection with a ladder having flat steps or one having cylindrical rungs. Therefore, in the description and in the claims the term step" is intended to cover any kind of ladder step.

ln FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, the first embodiment consists of a single piece of wire having an intermediate bend 10 of less than 90 adapted in use to engage behind a step such as that 11 shown in the ladder 12, a portion of which only is shown in the drawings. A lower end portion of the wire is inclined forwardly and downwardly from the bend 10 as indicated at 13. This portion overlies the adjacent side rail 14 of the ladder and terminated at its distal end in a keeper portion 15 bent backwardly along the outer face of the ladder rail in position to embrace the laterally outside face of the side rail. The upper end portion extends forwardly from the intermediate bend 10 as indicated at 16 to a point approximately directly above the distal end 15 of the lower end portion and there has a downwardly bent portion 17 having at its lower end an upwardly opening generally vertical vertical reverse bend 18 adapted to receive and hold a bail 19 of a paint can 20.

Preferably, but not necessarily, the same unitary piece of wire has at the end of the reverse bend 18 one or more generally horizontally extending U-shaped bends as shown at 21 and 22 adapted to receive and to retain a handle 23 or 24 of a paint brush. Referring to FIG. 1, it will be seen that the handle 23 is received in a reverse bend 21 and the spring characteristic of the wire is such that it may be made to clamp firmly on the brush handle. The brush handle 24 is shown suspended on a straight length of wire 22a which passes through a hole in the brush handle. However, the bend 22 might support a brush handle in a manner similar to that described in connection with the reverse bend 21.

The second embodiment is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 where the ladder 12 is shown as provided with a rung 25 which is utilized to support the paint can holder of this invention. In this second embodiment, the portions of the wire having the same functions as in the case of the first embodiment are indicated by the same numerals with a prime suffix. The intermediate bend it) passes in back of the rung 25. The forwardly and downwardly inclined portion of the lower end of the wire is indicated at 13'. The distal end keeper portion 15 is adapted to pass around the side rail 14 of the ladder. Of the upper end portion of the wire, that part extending forwardly from the intermediate bend 10' to a point approximately directly above the distal end 15' is indicated at 16'. At the end of the portion 16' there is formed the upwardly opening generally vertical reverse bend 18' adapted to receive and hold a paint can bail. The paint brush holders 2] and 22 and 220 are exactly like those portions first described.

A difference in the second embodiment provides that the lower end portion 113' and the keeper portion 15' extend to a position adjacent the reverse bend l8 and so constructed and arranged that with the wire in unstressed condition, the keeper portion 15' lies outside the reverse bend 18'. The wire has such spring characteristics that the keeper portion 15 may be stressed to enter the reverse bend 18' as shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 so as to releasably retain that position so as to more firml hold the paint can supported to the ladder.

W at is claimed is:

ll. A jaw supported combined paint can bail holder and brush holder consisting of a unitary piece of wire having an intermediate bend adapted in use to engage behind a step of a ladder near a side rail of the ladder and having upper and lower end portions extending away therefrom, said lower end portion inclined forwardly and downwardly from said intermediate bend to a position adapted to overlie said side rail of the ladder, the distal end of said lower end portion having a keeper portion bend backwardly in position to embrace the laterally outside face of said side rail, said upper end portion extending generally horizontal in use forwardly from said intermediate bend to a point approximately directly above said distal end of said lower end portion and there having a downwardly bend portion generally vertical in use having at its lower end an upwardly opening, generally vertical, reverse bend adapted to receive and hold a paint can bail, said wire then extending horizontally outward away from said reverse bend and there having a horizontally extending member adapted to hold the handle of a paint brush, with its bristles down, directly above a paint can whose bail is held in said vertical reverse bend.

2. A ladder supported paint can bail holder as defined in claim I, wherein said lower end portion and said keeper portion extend to a position adjacent said reverse bend and so arranged that with said wire in unstressed condition said keeper portion lies outside said reverse bend, and said wire having spring characteristics whereby said keeper portion may be stressed to enter said reverse bend and to releasably retain that position.

3233 iiiiiiifl siiTEs "iiiiwmmm" @ERTiFiCATE UP CUEQTKN Patent 3,62%245 Damd December 14 1971 In Andrmv J, Lewis It is certified that error appears in the above=identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby correctei as shown below:

[- C'laim 1., line 1 readsz "10 A jaw supported cmined aint can bail holder and' laim l line 1. shuld read:

"L. A ladder supp0rt@d coined aim: can bail hmldex: and

Signed and scaled this 29th day of August 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD I LFLETGHERJRQ ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A ladder supported combined paint can bail holder and brush holder consisting of a unitary piece of wire having an intermediate bend adapted in use to engage behind a step of a ladder near a side rail of the ladder and having upper and lower end portions extending away therefrom, said lower end portion inclined forwardly and downwardly from said intermediate bend to a position adapted to overlie said side rail of the ladder, the distal end of said lower end portion having a keeper portion bent backwardly in position to embrace the laterally outside face of said side rail, said upper end portion extending generally horizontal in use forwardly from said intermediate bend to a point approximately directly above said distal end of said lower end portion and there having a downwardly bent portion generally vertical in use having at its lower end an upwardly opening, generally vertical, reverse bend adapted to receive and hold a paint can bail, said wire then extending horizontally outward away from said reverse bend and there having a horizontally extending member adapted to hold the handle of a paint brush, with its bristles down, directly above a paint can whose bail is held in said vertical reverse bend.
 2. A ladder supported paint can bail holder as defined in claim 1, wherein said lower end portion and said keeper portion extend to a position adjacent said reverse bend and so arranged that with said wire in unstressed condition said keeper portion lies outside said reverse bend, and said wire having spring characteristics whereby said keeper portion may be stressed to enter said reverse bend and to releasably retain that position. 